On Thursday, the Black Stars of Ghana had their hopes of reaching the next round of the CAF World Cup 2022 Qualifiers when they were held to a 1-1 draw by Ethiopia.
That result puts them three points behind Bafana Bafana of South Africa going into the final match of the qualifying group G.
photo credit: Sofa Score
Although, a win would’ve still put them one point behind South Africa who beat Zimbabwe 1-0. But, they would at least come into this encounter feeling confident and in good spirits.
By 8pm tonight, they will be hosting South Africa at the Cape Coast and will be needing nothing less than a win to make it to the next round.
And the captain of the team, Andre Ayew has been talking tough ahead of this very important match.
photo credit: super sports
“We have had good results at home, not just here in Cape Coast.
“I don’t remember the last time we lost in Ghana so we need to stay like this, keep the same spirit and belief. We know we will not be able to do it without the fans. They should come in their numbers tomorrow and we will make sure we will give them everything they will be proud of.
“It is a tough one coming and there is a lot of pressure behind this game, from the nation and from us but that is why we play these kinds of games and now, we have to be ready to perform and make the country proud.”
In the first group D encounter between these two countries, Milovan Rajevac’s men scored a late goal to record a 1-0 win over the Ghanaians at the First National Bank Stadium on the 6th of September 2021.
photo credit: super sports
From that day, the Black Stars have complicated things for themselves and put their qualification to the next round in real jeopardy.
But tonight, they will have a chance to redeem themselves in front of their home crowd, who will be expecting nothing less than a win.
photo credit: getty images
For Africa to go to the World Cup without Ghana as one of it’s representatives would be a new and unusual thing. They’ve been Africa’s best performing nation at the World stage and it would always be a good thing to have them as a participant.
Having said that, South Africa has proven over the last couple of years that their football has grown from what it used to be in those days. Yes, they lack the reputation of countries like Ghana, Cameroon, Nigeria, Ivory Coast or Senegal, but they are very much as good as all these national teams currently.
photo credit: super sports
If they take this final step and condemn Ghana to miss out on the World Cup in Qatar next year, then they would be worthy representatives of Africa if they make it past the next round also.
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